Cat Care Tips

You are seeking information about cat care, most likely for one of two reasons.

Perhaps
you already have a cat as a companion, you likely know something about
caring for your cat, but need some specific information or you would
like to find additional advice about looking after your cat.

Or perhaps you have never shared your home with a feline and are researching the information you require to look after a cat.

Good
for you, it is wise to know as much as you can about all that is required
to give your new pet all the care, attention and love she or he needs and deserves.

Cat Care and The Veterinarian

Your
veterinarian is the best friend that you and your cat can have.

Veterinary care and
advice costs money, occasionally a lot of money, but this should not
prevent you from using a vet's services when you have to.

At some point
your cat will need the attention of a veterinarian, it's a fact of
life, even if it is just for shots or for neutering.

The cost of cat care is more than just the cost of cat food.

Times
can be tough and money can be tight but please, if you cannot afford the
inevitable costs involved in caring for a cat, (including veterinarian
fees,) then please do not get yourself a cat.

However, by giving
your cat proper care you can drastically reduce your need for a
veterinarian.

By learning all that you can on how to look after your
feline friend, by reading good cat health books and visiting cat
websites such as this one, you will reduce the number of times that you
find yourself caring for a sick cat, and you and your pet will enjoy
many happy years together.

A Cared For Cat Is A Fit Cat

Just like humans cats need exercise, without the ability to exercise their bodies they may grow overweight.

Bad eating habits also causes excess weight of course, but cats that do
not exercise enough will not burn the calories and so pile on the
pounds.

If your cat has access to the outdoors it is likely that
she enjoys exercise in the form of hunting even if she never catches any
prey, and by interaction with other cats.

Cats that are kept
indoors however, may need your help to get the physical workout they
need to keep in tip top health.

A little playtime with your cat each
day will help keep your cat fit, it's good fun too! Even just tossing
kitty a ball of crumpled up paper will help to give her exercise.

Cats
love to climb, if they can't get outdoors and climb trees etc. they
will climb up your drapes and on your furniture, if you let them.
Climbing is a natural instinct for cats and good exercise for them, if
your cat is indoors all day, consider a cat climbing tree. Indoor cats can be trained to walk on a leash and taken outdoors for exercise.

Your Cat – Looking Good

Keeping your cat looking good on the outside is just as much a part of cat care as ensuring that your cat is healthy on the inside.

You would be forgiven for thinking that a cat does a pretty fine job of keeping themselves looking good, after all most felines spend ages grooming themselves and cats must be one of the cleanest animals around.

But living in a human environment means that your cat does need your help in keeping her coat in good condition. How to Groom a Cat.

Your cats depend on you. You are responsible for ensuring they stay in good health and for providing a safe environment for them.

It is not necessary for you to learn to be a professional groomer to
give your cat care, unless of course your cat is a show cat.

A once a
week session if your cat is short haired, possibly more frequently if
long haired, and your cat should have a stunning coat.

Caring For Your Cat's Teeth

One part of caring for a cat that many folks forget about is caring for their teeth.

Perhaps that is because animals in the wild do not have to do anything in particular to maintain dental health and so folks assume their cat's teeth look after themselves. But domestic cats are not in the wild and lead completely different lives, especially as regards their diet.

A very small amount of time spent caring for your cat's teeth each day will help prevent plaque, tartar, gingivitis and gum disease, and save much dental treatment for your cat.

Sharing Your Home

You need patience when you share your home and life with a cat, and sometimes you need plenty of it.

Cats
are known for their independence and sometimes a cat's view of
acceptable behavior is different to the view a human might have.

However, as independent as they are, cats can be trained so that they
can share your home without causing you to pull your hair out.

Cats do not ask for much,
mostly they ask for your love, but they do need some other things in
order to enjoy a good life.

You will need to provide a litter box, the cat litter and litter box training, yes your cat may need a little gentle encouragement.

If you want to prevent your feline companion from scratching up your furniture you may want to provide a sturdy scratching post, and to train your cat how to use it. A cat bed is a good idea unless you want him or her to be sleeping right in the middle of your bed.

Your cats depend on you.

At some time or other you will need to take your pet somewhere, to
the grooming salon, to the veterinarian and to take your cat along with
you when you make trips, for that you will need a cat carrier.

Talking of trips, if you cannot take your cat with you please do not leave your cat to fend for itself.

Try
and arrange for a pet sitter to care for your cat while you are away,
or for a neighbor to look in daily and supply fresh water and food.

Alternatively
board your cat out somewhere she will be responsibly looked after.

The Benefits of Neutering

If you care about your cat please consider spaying or neutering. Apart
from the very important fact that there are far too many unwanted
kittens and cats in this world, neutering has benefits for both male cats and female cats.

Older Cat Care

As
your cat ages the amount and type of care that she needs will change.

A
cat that was gentle as a younger cat, may become noticeably more
aggressive in her behavior due to age related issues.

She may lay
around and sleep more than she once did and perhaps give less attention
to grooming herself and her dietary needs may change. See Elderly Cat Health for advice on caring for older cats.

Give Some Shade

Remember
that although cats are famous for laying stretched out catching the
rays of the sun, too much sun can be harmful for them.

The area around
their eyelids, tips of their ears, noses and mouths is particularly at
risk and white and light colored cats are the most vulnerable.

If your cats spend time outside try and discourage them from laying in the midday sun and provide a shaded area for them.

The Importance of Water

A
cat will remind you that she or he needs feeding, but please never
forget that your pet needs fresh water available at all times. Cats
that eat moist canned food may not seem to drink much of it but it is
still essential that water is available. (See Cat Dehydration )

Your cat does not need milk, in fact some cats are lactose intolerant and cow milk will cause tummy problems.

The Reward for Your Cat Care

A
cat may seem like the ideal low maintenance pet. Indeed you do not have
to venture out into the cold and rain to walk them and it does not cost
that much to provide them with a healthy diet.

But please do not
make the mistake of thinking you can just feed them and forget them.
Your cats depend on you.

You the human are responsible for ensuring they
stay in good health and you are responsible for providing a safe
environment for your pet.

Provide good cat care and your cat
will reward you. Despite their, often unfair, reputation for aloofness,
cats can reward you with companionship, affection and love, but that
love has to be earned.